"We put my daughter in the car and I was still holding the umbrella in the air when there was suddenly this white sheet of light.

"I heard a bang and felt it in my hand, then almost instantaneously a bang in my feet. There was a noise like when you stand next to a pylon. The electricity came down the umbrella, through me and out again.

"I think I was in shock - I said to David 'I think I've been struck by lightning'. My whole body went heavy but I managed to run into the house. It was like I had cramp. Pins and needles set in and I called the 111 emergency helpline."

Mrs Kendall, of Smalley, Derbyshire, was told to go straight to the Royal Derby Hospital, where she underwent tests, including an ECG scan, within an hour of arrival.

Mrs Kendall, who runs an online guide to Derbyshire, added: "I was so relieved to get the all clear. The doctors said the fact I was wearing David's wellies may have insulated me and stopped the lightning from earthing.

"I dread to think what might have happened if i wasn't wearing them. It could easily have gone the other way.

"My muscles still really ache, but other than that I feel strangely okay. It still hasn't really sunk in.

"It is a very bizarre feeling. My mum always told me not to go out in a thunderstorm with an umbrella, but I never in a million years thought this would happen."

Web developer Mr Kendall said: "The wellies cost about £8.50 off Amazon. I was going to get rid of them because they were leaking, but I'm glad I didn't now.

"I had just strapped our daughter in when suddenly there was there was a blinding white light above us and the biggest bang. It was deafening.

"I said 'Woah', and looked at Deborah as if to say 'Did you see that?' She just had a look of astonishment on her face and said 'It hit us!'

"Then she said 'You guys can get wet. I'm going in', and ran off. It was incredibly strange. I'm just so glad it has all turned out okay. We feel incredibly fortunate."

The odds of being struck by lightning is around 500,000/1.

Dr David Laithwaite, who treated Mrs Kendall in hospital, said: "She was incredibly unlucky to be hit. Deborah was given an ECG and examined. All tests came back normal and we wish her well."